The Central Government has officially stated in Parliament that it has no plans to declare the cow as the national animal of India. Responding to a written query, Union Minister of State for Law and Justice S.P. Singh Baghel made it clear that under Article 246(3) of the Constitution of India, the preservation of animals is a matter listed exclusively under the State List. This means that State legislatures have the sole authority to make laws regarding animal preservation, including cows.

The question was raised in the backdrop of ongoing debates and public demands in certain regions for the cow to be given the status of India’s national animal. Supporters of the proposal have often argued that the cow holds a sacred and culturally significant position in Indian society, and granting it national animal status would reinforce its protection.

However, the minister’s reply in Parliament underscored the constitutional separation of powers between the Union and State governments. Article 246 of the Constitution defines the distribution of legislative powers between the Parliament and State legislatures through the Union List, State List, and Concurrent List. The State List, under Entry 15, includes the subject of “preservation, protection and improvement of stock and prevention of animal diseases, veterinary training and practice.”

By citing Article 246(3), the government made it clear that the Union Government does not have jurisdiction to legislate on this matter unless it falls under extraordinary circumstances where the Rajya Sabha passes a resolution under Article 249 or in the case of national emergency provisions. This ensures that State governments retain autonomy over policies regarding cow protection and preservation.

The minister’s statement also indirectly signals that cow-related laws will remain diverse across States. For example, several States such as Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, and Haryana already have stringent cow slaughter bans, while others like Kerala, West Bengal, and some Northeastern States have more relaxed regulations. This decentralised approach reflects India’s federal structure, allowing States to decide based on their socio-cultural and economic contexts.

This clarification comes at a time when animal preservation laws are under public and political scrutiny, especially amid rising debates over religious sentiments, farmers’ livelihoods, and cattle smuggling concerns. Proponents of centralising cow protection laws argue it could bring uniformity, while critics warn it could infringe upon States’ rights and disrupt regional agricultural practices.

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